Stand mixer with electronic controls

ABSTRACT

There is provided a stand mixer comprising a housing ( 12 ) with a top portion ( 14 ), a base ( 16 ) and a mixing bowl ( 18 ). A motor within the housing rotates one or more output shafts to spin various attachments such as mixing whisks and dough hooks. The preferred embodiment features a control panel ( 30 ) located on the housing in a limited amount of surface area for efficient use of space. The control panel ( 30 ) comprises a power/speed control section ( 32 ) and a time control section ( 34 ). The power/speed control section ( 32 ) is preferably in the form of a dial ( 36 ) and can be rotated to be set to one of a multitude of speed settings. The power/speed control section ( 32 ) contains an “ON/OFF” button ( 40 ) to control the main power to the stand mixer and a “Pulse/Fold” button ( 42 ), which when pressed, causes the attachments to rotate approximately 1.5 to 2.5 revolutions and then come to a complete stop. The control panel also comprises a time control section ( 34 ) that controls the amount of time the stand mixer will operate for.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

None.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a kitchen device for mixingingredients. More particularly, the present invention relates to a standmixer having electronic control functions set in an efficientconfiguration.

2. Description of Related Art

It is known to provide kitchen devices that can be used to mix a varietyof ingredients. A kitchen device, such as a stand mixer, can include ahousing that contains a motor, which rotates one or more output shaftsto spin various attachments such as mixing whisks and dough hooks forkneading dough. A bowl can be utilized to hold the various ingredientsas they are being mixed. A control panel having a multitude of buttonscan be used to control the device.

Inherent shortcomings associated with these known devices include theinefficiency with which the control buttons are placed to accomplish avariety of tasks. There is a need for a device that can fit many controlfunctions into a limited amount of surface area for efficient use ofavailable space and ease of consumer use.

OBJECT AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to overcome the shortcomings ofthe prior art mentioned above. These and other objects are achieved bythe present invention described herein.

The present invention achieves these and other objectives by providing astand mixer comprising a housing with a top portion, a base and a mixingbowl. The front portion of the base can be shaped to securely hold themixing bowl in place. A motor within the housing rotates one or moreoutput shafts to spin various attachments such as mixing whisks anddough hooks.

The preferred embodiment features a control panel located on thehousing. The control panel comprises a power/speed control section and atime control section. The power/speed control section is preferably inthe form of a dial and can be rotated to be set to one of a multitude ofspeed settings. The power/speed control section contains an “ON/OFF”button to control the main power to the stand mixer. The power/speedcontrol section also comprises a “Pulse/Fold” button, which whenpressed, causes the attachments to rotate approximately 1.5 to 2.5revolutions and then come to a complete stop.

The control panel also comprises a time control section that controlsthe amount of time the stand mixer will operate for. The amount ofmixing time can be entered into the display be depressing the minute andsecond buttons to the desired time. The stand mixer will operate for theset amount of time and then automatically shut off.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is more fully understood by reference to thefollowing detailed description of an illustrative embodiment with thedrawings identified below.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a stand mixer in accordance with apreferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of a stand mixer in accordance with a preferredembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a partially assembled perspective view of a control panel forthe stand mixer shown in FIG. 1, in accordance with a preferredembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4A is a top view of a control panel for the stand mixer shown inFIG. 1, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 4B is a front view of a control panel for the stand mixer shown inFIG. 1, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 4C is a left side view of a control panel for the stand mixer shownin FIG. 1, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 5 is an electronic circuit diagram, in accordance with a preferredembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an electronic circuit diagram, in accordance with a preferredembodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1 and 2 show a stand mixer 10 in accordance with a preferredembodiment of the present invention. The stand mixer 10 generallycontains a housing 12 with a top portion 14, a base 16 and a mixing bowl18. The stand mixer 10 is generally shaped to be weight-balanced and sitfirmly on the work surface, such as a kitchen counter.

The front portion 20 of the base 16 can be shaped to securely hold themixing bowl 18 in place. In one embodiment of the present invention, themixing bowl 18 may be selectively locked into place. In a preferredembodiment, the mixing bowl 18 can contain a handle 22, as shown in FIG.2, for easier handling of the mixing bowl 18. In one embodiment of thepresent invention, a cover 24 is used to prevent any of the contentsfrom spilling out of the mixing bowl 18. As known to those skilled inthe art, a motor (not shown) within the housing 12 rotates one or moreoutput shafts (not shown) to spin various attachments such as mixingwhisks, to mix a variety of ingredients, and dough hooks for kneadingdough.

Included on the housing 12 is a control panel 30, as shown in FIGS. 3through 4C. In the preferred embodiment, the control panel 30 comprisesthe power/speed control section 32 and the time control section 34. Thepower/speed control section 32 is preferably in the form of a dial 36.However, other shapes for the power/speed control section 32 can also beconsidered. The dial 36 can be rotated to be set to one of a multitudeof speed settings 38 to enable a user to set the stand mixer 10 tooperate at a particular speed. In a preferred embodiment, the controlpanel 30 provides a “Slow Start” to the speeds so that there is not arapid starting, which may possibly throw the contents of the mixing bowl18 over the work surface.

The power/speed control section 32 contains an “ON/OFF” button 40,preferably near the center of the dial 36. The “ON/OFF” button 40controls the main power to the stand mixer 10. In order to turn thestand mixer off, the “ON/OFF” button 40 is pressed until the mixingprocess stops and the unit shuts off.

The power/speed control section 32 also contains a “Pulse/Fold” button42. When this button is pressed, it causes the mixing beaters, such as aflat mixing paddle, chef's whisk or dough hook (not shown) to rotateapproximately 1.5 to 2.5 revolutions and then come to a complete stop.This is also known as a “Pulse/Fold” function. The speed of revolutionis always at the slowest speed regardless of the speed setting 38.Multiple rotations, or a continuous fold, are possible by the userconstantly holding the “Pulse/Fold” button 42 in a depressed position.The “Pulse/Fold” button 42 is released to stop the mixing.

The time control section 34 controls the amount of time that the standmixer 10 will operate for. This function may or may not be used withoutaffecting the operation of the appliance 10. The amount of mixing timecan be entered into the display 44 by depressing the minute button 46and second button 48 to the desired time. Either button 46, 48 can beheld down to scroll through the digits, or the buttons 46, 48 can bepressed and released to advance one digit at a time until the desiredtime is displayed. However, any other method of input may also beutilized.

The display 44 is preferably in the form of an LCD display. However, inan alternate embodiment, an LED display can be used. The stand mixer 10will then operate for that amount of time and then automatically stop atthe end of the programmed time. Preferably, a tone signals the shutoffof the unit.

In a preferred embodiment, it is also possible to modify the amount oftime on the display 44 by pausing the rotation and adjusting the time.The “ON/OFF” button 40 is pressed once to stop the stand mixer andinterrupt the countdown. Preferably, a number will flash to signifypause mode. Once the contents of the mixing bowl 18 are checked, the“ON/OFF” button 40 is pressed again. The mixing process begins and thetimer continues counting down the remaining time. In a preferredembodiment, there is a safety feature, whereby if there is no action onthe unit after 5 minutes, the timer resets itself to “00:00”, a doubletone sounds, and the unit shuts off.

The time control section 34 is preferably located on the control panel30 above the power/speed control section 32. However, in an alternateembodiment, the position of these sections 32, 34 can be reversed. Thecontrol panel preferably includes a control panel housing 50, upon whichthe power/speed control section 32 and the time control section 34 aresecured. The control panel housing 50 is preferably secured to the mainstand mixer housing 12 by a multitude of flat head screws 52. However,other types of screws, as well as a number of other fastening methodscan also be used.

The operation of the stand mixer 10 is controlled by a controller PCBboard 54. FIG. 5 shows an example of an electronic circuit diagram toillustrate the components of the controller PCB board 54 used to operatethe stand mixer 10, including the LCD display of the control panel 30.FIG. 6 shows another example of an electronic circuit diagramillustrating the operation of the various functions of the stand mixer10.

While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been herein disclosedand described, it is understood that various modifications can be madewithout departing from the scope of the invention.

1. An appliance comprising: a housing; a dial on said housing forcontrolling a first function; and a plurality of buttons on said dialfor controlling a plurality of additional functions.
 2. An applianceaccording to claim 1, wherein said appliance is a stand mixer.
 3. Anappliance according to claim 1, wherein said additional functionsinclude an on/off function.
 4. An appliance according to claim 1,wherein said additional functions include a pre-set switch to operatesaid appliance for a predetermined amount of time and then automaticallyshut off after the expiration of said predetermined amount of time. 5.An appliance according to claim 1, wherein said dial further comprises aplurality of enumerated speed settings.
 6. An appliance according toclaim 1, further comprising at least one input for entering an amount ofoperation time.
 7. An appliance according to claim 1, further comprisinga display to indicate the amount of operation time remaining.
 8. Anappliance according to claim 6, wherein said display is an LCD display.